Wood working

Table 1: Established noise control methods for high risk activities
Table 2: Management of noise risks

Table 1: Established noise control for high risk activities

This table identifies high risk activities or processes; and links to further information and case studies.

A PDF version of table 1 is also available.

Activity or process	Established noise control methods	Further information (links)
Circular saws Example noise levels*: 97-102dB	When purchasing new blades obtain 'low noise blades'.	Noise control in sawmilling (from HSG172)
Vertical spindle moulders Example noise levels*: 95-100dB	The use of limited cutter projection tooling will reduce noise levels and should have been in place since 2003 under PUWER.	Woodworking Information Sheet 18 Woodworking Information Sheet 37
Multi-spindle planer moulders Example noise levels*: up to 105dB	Segmented blocks (widely available) can reduce in-feed noise levels. Properly designed and maintained chip extraction systems (where not part of integral enclosure) will reduce idling noise levels. Use smoother profile blocks with low blade projection. Slotted or perforated table lips can reduce idling noise levels. Reductions in noise can be made by reducing the cutter's rotational speed, and increasing the number of knives on the cutter. There should be a noise enclosure, either as an integral part of the machine or retrofitted. As with all noise enclosures it should be of suitable design, form as complete an enclosure as possible, and be properly maintained and used.	Noise reduction at multi-spindle planing and moulding machines (from WIS8) Air turbulence noise
Band resaws Example noise levels*: 90-105dB	Maintenance of machine (eg pulley scrapers, lubricating felt pads or sawdust extraction system) and blade, combined with blade adjustment, are extremely important for noise levels. Noise enclosure of band-resaws is considered to be reasonably practicable.	Woodworking Information Sheet 4 (WIS4 & 5 are to be combined in to a revised WIS4 due to be published around summer 2007) Noise control in sawmilling (from HSG172)
Planer thicknesser Example noise levels*: 97-101dB	Reductions of 7 to 13dB have been achieved during thicknessing only by adjustment of the table to slightly increase gap between cutter and table. *Not* to be used when the machine is used for planing when the timber is fed across the top of the cutter.	Air turbulence noise Example: Removing woodworking machine noise by adjustment
Small hand fed thicknesser Example noise levels*: 104dB	Enclosure (can be as simple as a 15mm lined chipboard box).
Chipper/hoggers	Segregation of machine from work areas, or enclosure of machine.

* Sample L_Aeq. The noise levels are indicative only and will vary depending on equipment type and conditions of use.

Table 2: Management of noise risks

A PDF version of table 2 is also available.

Issue	Expectation	References and related guidance
Workplace design for reduced noise exposure	Table 1 deals with established technical and organisational noise control measures for a range of high noise risk activities or processes. In addition to these measures, in general there will always be benefits to be gained in considering and applying general principles of workplace design for reducing noise exposure. For example: appropriate use of acoustic absorption within buildings can reduce or limit the effects of reflected sound (specialist help will be needed to put this in to effect); careful planning could segregate noisy machines from other areas where quiet operations are carried out; the number of employees working in noisy areas should be kept to a minimum; screens, barriers or walls can be placed between the source of the noise and the people to stop or reduce the direct sound; noise refuges can be a practical solution in situations where noise control is very difficult, or where only occasional attendance in noisy areas is necessary; increasing the distance between a person and the noise source can reduce noise exposure considerably.	Workplace design Example: Coating pans Example: Flexible acoustic screening material Example: Acoustic refuges Example: Use of absorption in a noise control programme
Selection of tools and machinery	Employers should demonstrate a positive purchasing policy which makes sure noise is taken into account when selecting machinery. For many types of equipment there will be models designed to be less noisy. When selecting equipment to buy or hire, besides ensuring that the tool or equipment is generally suitable for the job, employers should: ask about likely noise levels for the intended use(s); check that manufacturers' noise data is representative of likely noise levels for the intended use(s); use the noise information to compare machines before making the final choice; look for warnings in the instruction book to see if particular uses of the tool or machines are likely to cause unusually high noise; be aware that even where manufacturers declare that their tools or machines produce less than 70 dB, levels may sometimes be much greater in your workplace.	Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks Refer also to L108 Part 4: Selecting Quieter Tools and Machinery.
Limiting exposure duration	Restriction of the time spent in noisy areas, or doing noisy tasks, can be effective in reducing noise exposures, as can ensuring that noisy devices are only used when they are actually needed. Where some employees do noisy jobs all day or week, and others do quieter ones, job rotation should be considered. This might need you to train employees to carry out other jobs. This system will reduce the noise exposure of some employees while increasing that of others, so care and judgement is needed. Employees will need to be rotated away from noisy jobs for a significant proportion of time to make an appreciable difference to their daily exposure. The noise exposure ready-reckoner and exposure calculators can be used to indicate the reductions in exposure that can be achieved by reducing the duration of exposure to noise.	HSE noise exposure calculators and ready reckoners
Hearing Protection	Providing personal hearing protection should be one of the first considerations on discovering a risk to the health of your employees due to noise. It should not be used as an alternative to controlling noise by technical and organisational means, but for tackling the immediate risk while other control measures are being developed. In the longer term, it should be used where there is a need to provide additional protection beyond what has been achieved through noise control. Hearing protection use should be targeted at particular noisy jobs and activities. Personal hearing protection must be supplied by the employer to any employee whose daily personal noise exposure is likely to exceed 85 dB, or who is likely to be exposed to peak sound pressure levels above 137 dB. The employee must use the protection provided. The employer should ensure that, through the use of hearing protection, the employee's effective noise exposure is reduced to at least below the above levels. Important factors to consider in the selection and use of hearing protection include: types of protector, and suitability for the work being carried out; noise reduction (attenuation) offered by the protector, including taking account of 'real-world' factors, and also ensuring that not too much protection is provided; compatibility with other safety equipment; pattern of the noise exposure; the need to communicate and hear warning sounds; environmental factors such as heat, humidity, dust and dirt; cost of maintenance or replacement; comfort and user preference; medical disorders suffered by the wearer. The use of personal hearing protection should be managed through the provision of appropriate information, instruction and training for employees, supervision and the use of appropriately defined and demarcated Hearing Protection Zones.	Hearing protection – general advice HSE hearing protection calculator Hearing protection – Over-protection Hearing protection – real-world factors Hearing protection – advice on issuing Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks Noise: Don't lose your hearing Refer also to L108 Part 5: Hearing Protection – Selection, Use, Care and Maintenance
Information, instruction and training	It is important that employees understand the risks they may be exposed to. Where they are at risk from noise their employer should at least tell them: the likely noise exposure and the risk to hearing this noise creates; what their employer is doing to control risks and exposures; where and how people can obtain hearing protection; how to report defects in hearing protection and noise-control equipment what their duties are under the Control of Noise Regulations 2005; what they should do to minimise the risk, such as the proper way to use hearing protection and other noise-control equipment, how to look after it and store it, and where to use it; the health surveillance systems. This information should be given in a way the employee can be expected to understand (for example special arrangements might need to be made if the employee does not understand English or cannot read). To establish whether information, instruction and training has been carried out effectively, look for evidence that personal hearing protection is being fully and properly used, that noise control equipment is being used, and that procedures for low noise working are being followed.	What do I need to tell my employees? Employee and safety representatives Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks Noise: Don't lose your hearing
Health surveillance (audiometry)	Health surveillance for noise-induced hearing damage should be in place for employees whose daily personal noise exposure is frequently above 85 dB, or who are frequently exposed to peak sound pressure levels above 137 dB. Health surveillance should also be provided where exposures are lower, but where the employee may be particularly sensitive to noise. As a minimum, a programme of health surveillance should include: audiometric testing (baseline assessment on first entering a job involving noise exposure, annual testing for two years, then three yearly testing) arrangements to receive medical advice on management of affected employees arrangements to receive anonymised information to demonstrate effectiveness of controls	Health surveillance Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks Noise: Don't lose your hearing Refer also to L108 Part 6: Health Surveillance for Hearing Damage

Issue

Expectation

References and related guidance

Workplace design for reduced noise exposure

Table 1 deals with established technical and organisational noise control measures for a range of high noise risk activities or processes. In addition to these measures, in general there will always be benefits to be gained in considering and applying general principles of workplace design for reducing noise exposure. For example:

appropriate use of acoustic absorption within buildings can reduce or limit the effects of reflected sound (specialist help will be needed to put this in to effect);
careful planning could segregate noisy machines from other areas where quiet operations are carried out;
the number of employees working in noisy areas should be kept to a minimum;
screens, barriers or walls can be placed between the source of the noise and the people to stop or reduce the direct sound;
noise refuges can be a practical solution in situations where noise control is very difficult, or where only occasional attendance in noisy areas is necessary;
increasing the distance between a person and the noise source can reduce noise exposure considerably.

Workplace design

Example: Coating pans

Example: Flexible acoustic screening material

Example: Acoustic refuges

Example: Use of absorption in a noise control programme

Selection of tools and machinery

Employers should demonstrate a positive purchasing policy which makes sure noise is taken into account when selecting machinery.

For many types of equipment there will be models designed to be less noisy. When selecting equipment to buy or hire, besides ensuring that the tool or equipment is generally suitable for the job, employers should:

ask about likely noise levels for the intended use(s);
check that manufacturers' noise data is representative of likely noise levels for the intended use(s);
use the noise information to compare machines before making the final choice;
look for warnings in the instruction book to see if particular uses of the tool or machines are likely to cause unusually high noise;
be aware that even where manufacturers declare that their tools or machines produce less than 70 dB, levels may sometimes be much greater in your workplace.

Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks

Refer also to L108 Part 4: Selecting Quieter Tools and Machinery.

Limiting exposure duration

Restriction of the time spent in noisy areas, or doing noisy tasks, can be effective in reducing noise exposures, as can ensuring that noisy devices are only used when they are actually needed.

Where some employees do noisy jobs all day or week, and others do quieter ones, job rotation should be considered. This might need you to train employees to carry out other jobs. This system will reduce the noise exposure of some employees while increasing that of others, so care and judgement is needed. Employees will need to be rotated away from noisy jobs for a significant proportion of time to make an appreciable difference to their daily exposure.

The noise exposure ready-reckoner and exposure calculators can be used to indicate the reductions in exposure that can be achieved by reducing the duration of exposure to noise.

HSE noise exposure calculators and ready reckoners

Hearing Protection

Providing personal hearing protection should be one of the first considerations on discovering a risk to the health of your employees due to noise. It should not be used as an alternative to controlling noise by technical and organisational means, but for tackling the immediate risk while other control measures are being developed. In the longer term, it should be used where there is a need to provide additional protection beyond what has been achieved through noise control.

Hearing protection use should be targeted at particular noisy jobs and activities. Personal hearing protection must be supplied by the employer to any employee whose daily personal noise exposure is likely to exceed 85 dB, or who is likely to be exposed to peak sound pressure levels above 137 dB. The employee must use the protection provided. The employer should ensure that, through the use of hearing protection, the employee's effective noise exposure is reduced to at least below the above levels.

Important factors to consider in the selection and use of hearing protection include:

types of protector, and suitability for the work being carried out;
noise reduction (attenuation) offered by the protector, including taking account of 'real-world' factors, and also ensuring that not too much protection is provided;
compatibility with other safety equipment;
pattern of the noise exposure;
the need to communicate and hear warning sounds;
environmental factors such as heat, humidity, dust and dirt;
cost of maintenance or replacement;
comfort and user preference;
medical disorders suffered by the wearer.

The use of personal hearing protection should be managed through the provision of appropriate information, instruction and training for employees, supervision and the use of appropriately defined and demarcated Hearing Protection Zones.

Hearing protection – general advice

HSE hearing protection calculator

Hearing protection – Over-protection

Hearing protection – real-world factors

Hearing protection – advice on issuing

Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks

Noise: Don't lose your hearing

Refer also to L108 Part 5: Hearing Protection – Selection, Use, Care and Maintenance

Information, instruction and training

It is important that employees understand the risks they may be exposed to. Where they are at risk from noise their employer should at least tell them:

the likely noise exposure and the risk to hearing this noise creates;
what their employer is doing to control risks and exposures;
where and how people can obtain hearing protection;
how to report defects in hearing protection and noise-control equipment
what their duties are under the Control of Noise Regulations 2005;
what they should do to minimise the risk, such as the proper way to use hearing protection and other noise-control equipment, how to look after it and store it, and where to use it;
the health surveillance systems.

This information should be given in a way the employee can be expected to understand (for example special arrangements might need to be made if the employee does not understand English or cannot read).

To establish whether information, instruction and training has been carried out effectively, look for evidence that personal hearing protection is being fully and properly used, that noise control equipment is being used, and that procedures for low noise working are being followed.

What do I need to tell my employees?

Employee and safety representatives

Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks

Noise: Don't lose your hearing

Health surveillance (audiometry)

Health surveillance for noise-induced hearing damage should be in place for employees whose daily personal noise exposure is frequently above 85 dB, or who are frequently exposed to peak sound pressure levels above 137 dB. Health surveillance should also be provided where exposures are lower, but where the employee may be particularly sensitive to noise. As a minimum, a programme of health surveillance should include:

audiometric testing (baseline assessment on first entering a job involving noise exposure, annual testing for two years, then three yearly testing)
arrangements to receive medical advice on management of affected employees
arrangements to receive anonymised information to demonstrate effectiveness of controls

Health surveillance

Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the risks

Noise: Don't lose your hearing

Refer also to L108 Part 6: Health Surveillance for Hearing Damage

* Sample L_Aeq. The noise levels are indicative only and will vary depending on equipment type and conditions of use.